Northeast Community College will celebrate the success of its graduates next week.
The college will hold three commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 9, in the Cox Activities Center on the Norfolk campus. Ceremonies will be held at 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m.
At 9 a.m., the Health and Public Services and Business and Humanities programs will present diplomas, while graduates in Science, Technology, Agriculture and Math (STAM) and Applied Technology will receive their degrees, diplomas and certificates at noon.
At 3 p.m., nursing graduates will receive their nurse pins and participate in commencement.
Seating in the Cox Activities Center is limited and by ticket only. All guests must have a ticket to be admitted to commencement ceremonies and are distributed by the graduates.
Parker Clausen, Norfolk, will give student addresses at 9 a.m. and noon. Clausen is being awarded an Associate of Arts degree with a concentration in business administration. He is a graduate of Battle Creek High School. While at Northeast, Clausen has served as president of the Student Leadership Association and the Northeast Residence Life Business Living Learning Community Leader.
He is involved in Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and has qualified to compete at nationals both years of his college career. Clausen was elected and served as the Nebraska FBLA Collegiate President during the 2024-25 academic year, and he was recently reelected to serve as the state collegiate president for a second year in a row. He is also involved in Active Minds and is a member of the National Student Leadership Society.
Clausen received the Honorable Hawk Award in April 2025. This award is voted on by his peers and given to a student who represents and exhibits the values of Northeast. After graduation, Parker plans to attend Midland University to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in business administration and digital marketing.
Madison Hampton, O’Neill, who is being awarded an Associate Degree in Nursing, will speak at 3 p.m. Aside from her grandmother, who was an LPN, Hampton is proud to be the first in her family to pursue a career in nursing. Her journey in healthcare began at the age of 16, and she’s known from early on that nursing was her calling. Over the years, she has gained valuable experience working as a CNA for two years and as a phlebotomist for three years.
During nursing school, Hampton served as the president of the Student Nurse Association and was actively involved in the organization throughout her two years in the program. Her leadership and dedication to nursing extended beyond the classroom and into her clinical experiences. One of the most impactful moments for Hampton was her pediatric rotation at Faith Regional Health Services. This experience ignited her passion for pediatrics and ultimately influenced her decision to accept a position as a pediatric nurse in North Dakota.
Hampton’s biggest takeaway from nursing school is the importance of empathy. She’s learned that no matter how small a concern may seem, it could be the most significant issue in a patient’s life. Her goal is to always provide care with kindness, understanding, and compassion.
Brandon Keller, who has served as an agriculture instructor at Northeast Community College since 2017, is the faculty speaker.
Keller teaches a variety of agribusiness courses, advises students, and coordinates the college’s annual Agricultural Career Fair. A passionate traveler, Keller has visited over 13 countries and shares this enthusiasm with students through faculty-led study abroad tours, including recent trips to the United Kingdom and Costa Rica. He holds a Master of Business Administration in agricultural economics from Northwest Missouri State University and a Bachelor of Science in agricultural economics and natural resources from Kansas State University. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in leadership studies from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
In 2025, Keller received the U.S. Bank Faculty Outstanding Performer Award in recognition of his outstanding teaching, student support, and servant leadership. He was also named one of Norfolk’s “Top 20 Under 40” in 2023. Outside the classroom, he serves on the Norfolk Community Theatre board, volunteers with Scouting America, and works with clients at the Norfolk Family YMCA. In his free time, Keller enjoys outdoor activities, scuba diving, and exploring new destinations.
Alberto Cartela Jr., who will be graduating, will sing the National Anthem at all three ceremonies.
Commencement
The Northeast Media Arts program will broadcast all commencement ceremonies live online at https://team1sports.com/northeastcc/. (Northeast Community College)
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